Switch-operating mechanism



ocr. 27, 1925.

H. K. KRANTZ SWITCH OPERATING MECHANI SM Filed Dec. 2l, 1920 4 Sheets-Sheet l Oct 27 l925- H. K. KRANTZ swI'rcH OPERATING MECHANISM 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 2l, 1920 INVENToR Habe/77V. Krcmz ATTRNEY WITNESSES: 9%. .va

H. K. KRANTZ SWITCH OPERATING MECHANI SM Filed Dec. 2ll 1920 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR HUber///franz AToRNEY uma-wg Oct. 27, 1925.

H. K. KRANTZ SWITCH OPERATING MECHANISM Filed Dec. 21, 1920 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 lNvENToR Huber! K. Kranfz WITNESSES ATTORNEY il t) Patented Oct. 27, 1925.

UNITED STATES PPATELNT QFFICE.

HUBERT K. KRANTZ` OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK. ASSIGNOR TO WESTINGHOUSE ELEC- TRIO 8c MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

`SWITCHC-OPELRATINC-Tr MECHANISM.

Application filed December 21, 1920.

lle it known that l'. llLi-.l-:n'r li. KnAN'rz. a citizen ot the United States, and a resident of Brooklyn, in the county ot' Kings and State ot' New `iforl;` have invented a nenv and useful Improvement in Switch-Operaline' Mechanism7 ot which the t'ollowing` is a specilication.

M V invention relates to switch-operating mechanism and particularly to operatingl mechanism for switches disposed in inaccessible places and actuated by remote operatinpl mechanism.

One object ot' the invention is to provide a switch-operating mechanism tor switches that are mounted upon ceilings and other inaccessible places. whereby an operator may actuate a switch disposed at a remote point. n

nother object ot the invention is to provide a switch-operating mechanism having the above characteristics wherein a single ,switch or a plurality ot remotely spaced switches that are mounted upon a ceiling; may be actuated by a single operatiimy handle or shipper rod" that is accessible to an operator staiuling4 upon the tloor.

.hiother object ot the invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive mechanical connection between an enclosed switch ot' standard ctmstruction and a shipper rod whereby the switch is operated in response to movement ot the shipper rod an-l whereby independent movement of the switch is permitted.

further object ot the invention is to provide a simple apparatus tor connecting the shipper rod to the electrical switch having a snap-action opening movement, .Jherelz-y the switch may open with a snap action without interference with the actuatingr mechanism.

yThese and other objects. that will be made apparent throughout the further description ot the invention.. are attained by means ot' the apparatus hereinat'ter described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings: wherein.

Figure l is a front plan View of a switch box and the operating mechanism for the switch;

Serial No. 432.339.

Fig'. 2 is a side elevation ot the app-a1" tus shown in Fig. l. showing' the box and operating mechanism in side elevation:

Fig'. 2i is a side elevation ot' a modified toi-m ot' switch-actuatintr mechanism:

Fin'. t is a front plan view ot' the apparatus shown in Fig. 3:

Fig. 5 is a 't'ront plan view of a switch boi; and a moditied form ot switch-actuatine' mechanism:

Fin'. (i is a side elevation ot the apparatus shown in Figi. 5:

Fig. T is a side elevation ot a moditied t'orm ot switch-operating mechanism;

Fie'. S is a trout elevation ot the mechanism illustrated in Fig'. l:

Figi'. 9 is a side elevation ot a modified turni ot' switeh-operating mechanism shown connected with a plurality ot switch-operatin-'g .-:hatts: and

Fig. l0 is a diagrammatic illustration ot switch-operating mechanism. wherein a rope. accessible to a plurality ot operators. takes the place ot' the shipper rod.

Referring to the drawine's. the apparatus includes a metallic switch bot ll for Containing' an electrical switch suitable for controlling' lighting or motor circuits in factories and the like` The switch nleehanism usually employed in such installations consists ot a pivoted blade men'lber that is adapted to be moved into engagement with a contact yiaw member tor the purpose of est ablishing;` a circuit through a lichting system or a power motor. Such switches are provided with suitable actuating mechanism for imparting a snap action during the opening and closing movements thereof.

Switches ot the above described type are severally provided with an operating shaft or lever 1Q which extends exteriorlv ot' the housingv and which mav be manually operated to open and to closed position.

n object ot the invention is to provide suitable mechanism whereby the switch may he actuated to open and to closed position by means ot a shipper rod.

As illustrated in Figs. l and 2, the housing l1 is supported upon a ceiling structure 13. to which is secured. at a point adjacent tit) the housingr 11, the shipper-rod bracket 14 which consists of a socket member 15 in which the upper end of a shipper rod 16 is plvoted for rotation about a bolt 17.

The switch-actuating mechanism inctudes a roekinr lever 18 having two arms 19 and 21 disposed, with respect to each other, at an angle of substantiallj,v 90 or more. 'the rocking lever is mounted l'or limited rotary movement upon the operating; shaft ot the switch mechanism and the extreme ends of the levers 19 and 21 are provided with outwurdhy extending; projections 23 and 2-1, respectively. which separate`:\ engage the operating;l handle 1Q. whichj in the instance illustrated, is an integral part of the switch shaft 22.

1t will be seen from the foregoing; that, when the operating lever 18 is rotated in a counter-eloekwise direction, the handle 12 is moved from the closed position illustrated l to an open position wherein the handle will occupy a position substantially 90o from that shown in Fig. as iilustrated 1n hrolcn lines. By reason of the space provided brtween the contact extensions and 2l, the

rocking lever 18 does not interfere with the Snap-action movement of the operating handle 12.

In the construction illustrated in Figs and 2, the operating' lever 18 is provi/rf. with a gear Q5 that is secured thereto une'. is adaptel to impart rotariY movement to the operating lever 18. The gear 25 is actuated b v means of a :rear sector 215 that is pivoted upon the housing' 11 by means of a shaft 2T. The teeth of the sector 25 are meshed with those of the gear to cause rotar) movement of the gear when the sector is oscillated.

A helical spring' 25M having one end sccured to the housing'. as at Sil. and the other end secured to a pin 30 on the sector 26. serves te normally i.'ieldinn'lv retain Vhe tor 2G in a predetermined initier. as illus` trated in Fig. 2.

The shipper rod 16. which is ol sul'ieient length to extend within reach ot an ooerator standing;` upon the floor, is flexibly connected to the, sector 2G hv means of a link which is pivoterl at one end. to the shipper rod hy means of a holt 33 and. at the other end of the sector. h v means of a shaft A pullev Q() is secured to the sector for receivingr a belt which mav entend to a similar pulleyv on a remotely disposed switch mechanisni. ln this manner, a plurality of switches niagv he operated bv a single shipper rod. rThis feature of the invention will be hereinafter more fullv described in connection with apparatus illustrated in Fins. 7. 8 and 9.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows: Assuming the switch to be in the neutral position illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the switch is moved to open position by movement o1' the shipper rod 16 to the left or in a clockwise direction. 'this movement imparts a rotaryY movement to the sector 2G in a clockwise direction, thus causing the gear 25 to le turned in the opposite direction. Counterclocliwise movement of the operating lever 18 causes the extension 23 to engage the operating handle l2 and move it to open position wherein it occupies a position indicated in hrolen lines in Fig. '2. Upon the release ot' the shipper rod handle. the sprin i' 25 retnrns the sector 25 to the neutral position illustrated in full lines in Fig.

To close thtl switch. the shipper rod is moved to the right, thus imparting' clochwise n'iovenient to the gear and the operating' lever 18. The extension Q4 engages the operating; handle 12 and causes it to return to its original closed position.

Referringv to F" 3 and a modified torni ot switch-actuating mechanism is il lustrated. wherein actuatingv mechanism is mounted uoou a bracket 35 that is secured to the cening t to pivotallv support a shipper rod 12' h v means of a pivot shaft 38.

ln this construction. the switch shaft 39 actuated hv means of an operating lever 11 having` a pair of oppositelv disposed levers and ft?) that are provided at their extreme ends. 'with inwardly' projecting ef;- tensions 1%? and respectively The rocle ing lever 41 is ada'vted to he rotated through siihstantiallj.v 181i between engagements of the extensions del and l5 with opposite sides of the operating' handle 46 that is an inte tQ'ral part of the switch shaft 39. A gear 47 is secured to the rocking lever 41 and serves to turn the said lever.

in internal .-'ear sector L'18 is pivoted to the bracket 35 upon u shaft it. and the shipper rod 37 is pivotallv connected there to bv means of a holt 51 which operates in a slot 59: pr-:nidefl iu the shipper rod 3.7.

The sector is inusuali.' vieldina'lv retained in the predetermined position illustrated in Tin'. S hv means of a spring that is wound around the shaft 4.9. The ends 51 and of the spring' 53 arc disposed on opposite sides of a pin tha is secured to the bracket The sector 48 is provided with a pin 57 that extends 1oetween the ends 541 and 55 of the spring and serves to displace the end 55 when the sector is turned in a coun ter-clockwise direction and to displace the end 54 when turned in a clockwise direction. It will be apparent, therefore. that the sector 48 will be returned to the neutral position illustrated when the shipper-rod handle 37 is released.

The operation of this apparatus is somewhat similar to the operation of the appa ratus illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. The

llt)

rocking vmswernent of the sector t8 imparts rotar movement of the gear yto the shaft 39. l' he extensions 'sl/i and 'si-5 serves to operate the handle t6 lto fopen and lo closed positions. respectively, in a manner somewhat similar to the operation ot the switch mechanism previously described.

Referring to Figs. 5 and (i, another modified form of apparatus `is illustrated. The switcl'i-operating mechanism mounted upon a bracket 58 that is secured to thc ceiling' and serves 'to support the switch 4-box A shipper rod til is ,pivot-ed :to the bracket by means oi a vholt The switch shaft G8 is actuated by a rocking lever 64 which lis similar to the rocking lever 18 of the apparatus illustrated in Figs. l and 2, 'in that the operating lever arins and 66 are disposed a't :rn yanfle ot substantially The rocking' lever 6st is secured to a shaact 66 that is mounted for rotation .on the nbracket 58. A drum '67 is secured Ato the shaft 66 and lis rotated by means of a cable Vr68 which is wound several Vtimes around the drum and has its ends secured Vto lopposite .ends 'of a Aroc'ling'bearn 69 that is p'i-voted 'to 'the bracket 58 upon ya shatt 71.

The rocking beam '69 is normallyv yieldingly retained in 4the predetermined Yposition illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6 'by means oi a helical spring 72 that is wound `around the shaft 71. The ends '73 and 74 ofthe spring 72 .are disposed on `opposite sides ot a pin .75 that is .secured 'to the trame H8.

A pin 76, carried by 'the rocking beam 69, proects between the ends 773 Aand 74 of the spring and serves to displace Athe end 73 when the rocking beam "69 is turned in a counter-clockwise direction and to displace 'the .end 74 when the rocking heam is moved in a clockwise direct-ion. l't will be seen from the foregoing ythat vthe rocking` vbeam 69 will be turned bv the springr 72 to its original position when the shipper rod vreleased b v the operator.

The shipper rod 61 is operativelx7 conv n'ected to the rocking beam '69 by 4means of apin 77 carried by the rocking beam 69 which projects through a slot 78 4provided in the shipper rod.

The operation of the apparatus is as toil- `lows: Assuming the parts of the `apparatus 4to be in `the posit-ion illustrated in Figs. and 6 wherein the switch 'is in closed position. vthe switch will lbe opened hv Amovement of the shipper rod vto the right. This movement ot the rod causes counter-clockwise rotation of the rocking beam 69 which. lin turn, imparts a rotary movement` in the same direction, to the rocking lever 64 bv reason of the cable 68 which is wound around the 'drum 67.

After 'the rocking lever "64 is moved a position.

hredetermiued distance, the switch will snap 4to open position wherein the operating handle 7() will occupy a position at an angle which is substantially 90 'trom its original Then the handle is 'released by' the operator. the spring T2 will return the rocking` beam (i9 to its original position.

ln order to close the switch. thc shipper rod is moved to the htt. thereinY causing` revcrse movement ot the rocking lever ttland consequent closing' movement ot' the switch.

It will vbe understood that the switch-operating grandlc Tl) is separately engaged b v lprojections T9 and 8l that are carried on the extreme ends ot' ythe levers and (So. respectifvely. When the shipper rod is released by the operator, the spring 72 will again return the rocking lever 39 to its original position.

Referring to Figs. T and '8, another modi- 'tied form ot apparatus is illustrated wherev in the switch-operating mechanism is supported upon a bracket 82 that is secure-d to the ceiling. In this construction, the shipper rod 83 is pivoted to the bracket 'by means of a shaft 84 at a point intermediate the extreme upper end of the shipper rod and the lower end thereof. The upper end ot the shipper rod is forked. having `two prongs 85 and 86 that straddle 'the axis oi tht` switch-operating handle or shaft '87 that yprojects .from "the switch housing' 88.

A pulleyY 89, that is provided with op'poA si'telyv disposed .pins 91 and is mounted Jfor rotation upon a shaft 93 that is secured to the bracket. 82 in axial. alineinent with `the axis of the switch-operating shaft. The Ipulle)7 is provided with a drum portion '94 around which a cable is wound several turns. The ends of the cable. are seci'ired to the eXtreme ends ot the prongs 85 and 86. as at 96 and 97. respectively.

It will he seen from the torrgoing' that, when the shipper rod 8? is oscillated. rotary movement will be imparted Lto the pullelv 89 by reason ot the trictional engagement ot the cable with the drum 94. The pins 91 and 92 .that are carried bv the pulleyv 89 separately engage opposite sides of the switch handle 87 and move it to closed and open positionsr` respectively, in the manuel' described in connection with the app-.tratos .illustrated in Figs. 3 vand 4.

As in the construction illustrated in Figs. .l and 2, the drum 94 is provided with the pulley 89 for the purpose ot' actuating a rcino'tely disposed switch.

Referring to Fig. the apparatus is shown connected with a pluralitj.' ot switch handles 8T that are operated bv means ot the pulleys 89, one of which lis connected to the 'shipper rod 83 in the manner ust described While the other is operated b'sv means of a belt 98 connecting the pulleys. rl`he pulleys are normally yieldingly retained in the predetermined position illustrated `in Fig. 9 by means of a pair of springs 99 that may be secured to any stationary part of the building` structure.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that, when the shipper rod 83 is moved, rotary movement will bc imparted to both of the pulleys and when the shipper rod 83 is released, the springs 99 will return the pulleys to their original position. It will also be apparent that pulleys may be Isupplied to the apparatus disclosed in Figs. S, 4, 5 and 6 for the purpose of operating a plurality of switches by one shipper rod.

In Fig. 10, I have illustrated an application of the invention similar to that disclosed in Fig. 9, except that the cable 100 serves a shipper rod. In the construction illustrated in Fig. 10, the endless cable 100'is mounted on an idle pulley 101 and a switch'actuating pulley 102 which is provided with pins 103 for alternately engaging the switch handle 104. The cable is adapted to extend past a plurality of inachines operated by the motor controlled by the switch and is accessible to, and operable by, an operator of any one of the machines. Springs 105 are provided to return the pulley 102 to its neutral position.

The apparatus above described is 'simple and inexpensive to manufacture and all parts thereof are accessible for inspection and repair. The construction is such that the switch may be manually actuated by the operator independently of the Shipperrod mechanism or the switch maybe actuated by an over load release device. It is, therefore, unnecessary to disconnect 'the operating mechanism in order to inspect the switch and to actuate the switch during the inspection.

While I have described and illustrated but four embodiments of my invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions, additions and omissions may be made in the apparatus illustrated without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. Mechanism for operating a switch having an operating shaft, a lever having a lost-motion connection therewith, and an operating member for actuating the said lever and normally yieldingly retained in a neutral position permitting independent movement of the said shaft to operative and inoperative positions.

2. Mechanism for operating a switch having an operating shaft, a lever pivoted on the said sihaft and having a lost-motion messer connection therewith and an operating member for actuating the said lever and normally yieldingly retained in a neutral position permitting independent movement of the said shaft to operative and inoperative positions.

Mechanism for operating a switch having an operating shaft, a lever having a lostmotion connection therewith, for permitting independent movement of the switch between operative and inoperative positions, an operating member for actuating the said lever, and means for normally yieldingly retaining the said lever in a predetermined position.

il. Mechanism for operating a switch comprising an operating member, means actuated thereby for operating the switch permiting independent movement of the switch to operative and inoperative positions, and means for normally yieldingly retaining the said means in a predetermined position.

5. The combination with a switch and an operating shaft, a member rotatably mounted on the shaft for operating the shaft and having a lost-motion connection thereto for permitting movement of the switch to open or closed position independently of the said member and a shipper rod having driving connection to the said member for operating the said switch.

6. The combination with a switch-operating shaft, a gear having limited rotary movement thereon, an operating member, a gear member connected thereto for imparting rotary movement to the gear and means for returning the operative member to a predetermined position permitting independent movement of the switch-operating shaft.

7. The combination with a switch-operating shaft, a rotatable member substantially axially alined with the shaft and having a lostanotion connection therewith, an operating member, means connected thereto for imparting rotary movement to the said member and means for returning the op erating member to a predetermined neutral position permitting independent movement of the switch-operating shaft.

8. The combination with a switch mounted upon a support and having an operating shaft, of a shipper rod carried by the support and having an operative lost-motion connection to the said shaftfor permitting independent movement of the switch-operating shaft to operative and inoperative positions.

9. The combination with a switch mounted upon a support and having an operating shaftq of a shipper rod carried by the support and having an operative lost-motion connection to the said shaft for permitting independent movement of the switch-operating shaft to operative and inoperative positions and means for returning the shipper rod to a predetermined neutra] position.

10. The combination. with a plurality of Switches mounted upon a Support and each having an operating shaft, of a shipper rod carried by the support and having au operative lost-motion connection to the Said shafts for permitting independent movement of the shafts W1th respect to one another and to the shipper rod.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my nume this eleventh day of December 1920.

HUBERT K. KRANTZ. 

